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ShellNews.net: BBC “Newsnight”: Oil Gangs Threaten Nigerian unity: "So on one
hand we have the Ogoni living in utter destitution in a despoiled land which has
immense oil and gas resources. On the other, the ruthless Shell fat cats
responsible in large part for their evil exploitation and wicked oppression
honoured with titles and showered with riches. It is a monumental injustice and
should be a source of shame for all investors/stakeholders in the Royal
Dutch/Shell Group." 17 November 2004

By Alfred Donovan

The old adage is that a picture says a
thousands words. The filmed report on Newsnight which highlighted the injustice inflicted on the local population, living
a nightmarish existence in the oil rich Niger Delta, was more devastating than
anything which could be put into writing.

The video clip is unfortunately only
available on the BBC Newsnight website for 24 hours after the broadcast. After
that there is only a sanitised version in a written report which omits
illuminating comments from some of the people interviewed.

The film of the oil spills in Ogoniland
in a dark polluted landscape was particularly depressing as were the reports of
abject poverty and degradation.

Arab populations such as the Saudis have
rightly benefited greatly from the oil discoveries in their lands. Unfortunately
the oil riches in Nigeria have been plundered by successive corrupt regimes in
collusion with oil companies. Shell has a particularly atrocious record in this
regard and after a report commissioned by Shell was leaked (Peace and Security
in the Niger Delta) Shell has admitted that its activities have fed the violence
and corruption in Nigeria.

Birds of a Feather

Two defendants in a US multi-billion
dollar law suit concerning the Shell oil reserves scandal (described on BBC TV
as the biggest investor related fraud in history), Sir Mark Moody-Stuart and Sir
Philip Watts, are also defendants in a US class action lawsuit brought by Ogoni
leaders. Moody-Stuart headed up the Shell Nigerian operation prior to becoming
Group Chairman of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. Sir Philip followed in his wake
in both jobs before being forced to resign in disgrace following the reserves
debacle, but with a reported $18 million dollar settlement/pension pot.

So on one hand we have the Ogoni living
in utter destitution in a despoiled land which has immense oil and gas
resources. On the other, the ruthless Shell fat cats responsible in large part
for their evil exploitation and wicked oppression honoured with titles and
showered with riches.

It is a monumental injustice and should be a source of
shame for all investors/stakeholders in the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.